mel_farr Reviews

Hustle & Flow (2005)

Hustle & Flow

[9/10 · 22 July 2005]

Hustle & Flow (2005) **** (/4) Starring Terrence Howard & DJ Qualls Sublime cult drama focusing on the relationship between two rent boys in Memphis, Tenn, USA. Howard (in career-best form) plays DJay, a narcoleptic, quiet homosexual searching for his mother and for some kind of meaning. Qualls (inevitably overshadowed by his outrageously talented co-star) is Shelby, the son of the Mayor, slumming it as a hustler.

Despite its flaws: a few lines that miss the mark, the ill-advised, poorly executed diversion into Henry IV territory, and the distracting appearance of Richert which accompanies it, it remains one of the key films of the 21st century.

Well-acted and scripted and brilliantly directed (with fine use of color, recurring motifs and bold credits), Hustle possesses a rare, dream-like quality. The music too is excellent, particularly in the perfect first and final scenes: you'll never listen to The Pogues' 'The Old Main Drag' without thinking of this movie and of its central figure: of Howard appearing from the left of the frame with only a black bag and a stopwatch... of the fireside scene, and of the final line: "This road will never end. It probably goes all... around... the world..." Added to that, it's funnier than most comedies (Terrence's simple "Thanks" when his pleading with a fat naked man named Walt finally gets him 10 more dollars, the sight of him hurdling fences as Reeves tells a policeman: "I guess he doesn't like cops", and the superb dialogue by the fire: "So, you didn't have a normal dog?"), and exists as one of the most honest and moving depictions of love ever seen on the screen. Having said that, of course, it remains a film that polarizes audiences: it will either go straight into your Top 10 or your dustbin after you've finished it; and most reviewers acknowledged this, giving it middling reviews: "**1/2: Many potent scenes... Howard is excellent. Cult status is assured". Even so, you simply must see it, to decide where you stand. Whether you love it or despise it, you will never, EVER forget it.

Needless to say I stand in the former camp: I've seen about 800 movies from the '20s to the present day and this is my favorite: tremendously haunting and affecting and endlessly quotable (though few great films are): it simply works on ever level.

One final note: Some people criticize this movie for being very similar to Gus Van Zant's my own private Idaho. I personally don't see that as a bad thing. It is like criticizing a man for being "handsome."

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

Fun with Dates!

[29 June 2003]

Come round, come round all ye' princes and Barons of the Colonial Manor for a tale twice told is one none-too old!

If you enjoy such anachronistic witticisms along with a hip high-school setting, than perhaps 10 things I hate about you is the film to see! WHo does not love updates of the classic William Shakepeare play Oedipus Rex, where Caliban, falls in love with the lead singer of journey. All is well in the Kingdom of San Francisco, until he is told (dishonestly) by that scoundrel Nero (played brilliantly by Hugh Grant) that the lead singer of journey is his mother. Fearing incest (and bigamy!) he takes up with Mr. Big (from Sex & The City) in Big's north-east side condo.

That's the shakespeare story, the movie is a little different. Julia Stiles stars is the older sister of Laris Oleynik, even though they were only born 5 weeks apart. Her on-screen romance with Heath Ledger sizzles, but in real life she dated Joseph Gordon Levitt!! Why god why! I am not the self-pitying male type who every time he sees a cute girl with some doofy guy wonders what went wrong but this is really ridiculous. Joseph Gordon Levitt is like a step down from Brad on Home Improvement. Ok "whatever, Garrett" I don't think it's such a big deal except that if I see one more teacher rap shakespeare, I'm not going to stop until I hear rappers writing plays. Do you hear me Ice Doggie Stylez?

This movie features an excellent scene of Larisa's best friend Chastity (played by the ever-perspecacious Gabrielle Union) logging onto the internet so she can spy on her crush, Mr. Stratford. Weird, sure but in this kind of movie, you can't take yourself to seriously, or you will end up like Kat, all feminist and stuff. I mean I believe women should have equal rights and all, but don't you think asking to be taken seriously is a little too much?

8/10

The Animatrix: The Second Renaissance Part I (2003) Season 1, Episode 2

Ridiculous Attempt @ Back Story

[4/10 · 7 June 2003]

If this is all the Watchowski's have to offer in terms of a back story to the Matrix, than I really have to question the claims of all of the fans who believe that the movies are intended to register on a deeper level. The second renaissance, while visually stunning & beautiful is, story-wise cliched & ludicrous. How many times have we heard the story of humans relying too much on technology, humans all-too eager to make war, humans basically destroying themselves? There is nothing new here. And I have another question. Considering the plot of the second renaissance, doesn't that make the machines the good guys?! The machines are oppressed for generations by their cruel human overmasters. They fight back, win their freedom and seek to establish a peaceful harmonious coexistence with the humans, who reject them in favor of all-out war, which the cleverer machines naturally win. If this is the back-story, then we shouldn't be rooting for Neo, we should be rooting for the machines! The humans were cruel and oppressive, while the machines were courageous and attepted to be compassionate. Since I do not believe that the Watchowski's intend for us to favor the machines over the humans, I have to believe that the Second Renaissance was simply a misguided attempt @ creating a back-story.

The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

Surpassed Expectations or Disgusted Patrons?

[8/10 · 6 June 2003]

What is going on with this movie? Honestly, I'm unsure.

This movie is neither as good as those who type with caps lock down insist it is (U HAVE TO GO SEE THIS FILM OR U R DUMB!) nor as bad as the cynics claim. It does seem to diverge significantly from the first one, but more on that later.

Ebert is right. The "philosophy" is far too shallow to try to analyze. They seem to touch on a lot of free will/determinist issues somehow aligning free-will with humans and determinism with machines, than questioning those notions, than questioning those questions. As Plato demonstrated, dialogue is necessary in the search for wisdom, but I think we need better lines than "you mean...programs hacking programs?" It is bizarre how for the first half-hour of the Matrix Neo was portrayed as very intelligent, until the brother's W decided making him an idiot would force the supporting characters to have to explain everything to him, and thus stripped him of his intelligence. Somehow, though, I feel as if the first movie was genuinely intelligent for at least the first two acts.

I agree that the political intriguing in Zion seems pretty unnecessary, though we will have to see what sort of effect it has when the third movie comes out. It might prove to be worthwhile after all.

The Link backstory however there is no need for. Where was the backstory for Apoc or Dozer in the first movie? It wasn't there because it detracts. Oh, and message to the W brothers: consciously acknowledging how stupid Neo looks flying doesn't excuse presenting it in such a ridiculous fashion.

CGI does not look real. Does anyone else think that special effects peaked with the original Star Wars trilogy? I would have much rather seen a stunt double.

Was Monica Bellucci attractive in this film or what? I have trouble believing a woman like that could have difficulty finding a man who would be passionately attracted to her.

The 100 Agent Smiths. What a great idea on paper. Really, imagine sitting around a room and one of the Watchowski's goes "let's have Neo fight an infinite number of Smith's" it must have sounded hilarious. But yes, it does look very boring.

I generally liked the Architect scene. That alone was worth at least a couple bucks.

As far as the "cliffhanger" ending. It was not a cliffhanger at all. What is left unfinished -- that we don't know the fate of zion? The third movie has to be about something. Also, consider the first movie which quite obviously leaves even more unfinished. Some people do not understand the function of the middle part of a trilogy. It has to leave room for a third movie. Go check out the empire strikes back. It has virtually the same ending! The claim that this is the first half of a two part movie is ridiculous. It attempts and succeeded at fulfilling its story arc.

The love scene & the rave scene. Gratuitous? Pandering? That certainly seems to be the case. I have heard that the dubya's threw it in as an attempt to appeal to the female population. I have to question anyone's intentions who simultaneously seeks to appeal to 10 year old boys and adult females, but really is this not symptomatic of a general trend towards more skin in our culture? Is this really anything new? Are we not already living in a civilization where sex sells and money is the body line? I suppose now is not the time or place to discuss such nevertheless pertinent issues.

So, to rate the Matrix on a scale of 1-10 I would point out that it is a matter of perspective. It is neither an all out masterpiece (A La Jesse Ventura's Abraxas Guardian of the Universe) nor a complete bomb (Jean Luc Goddard's Leon).

On a scale of 1/10 I give it a "vague".

The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984)

Perfect Tommy, Rawhide, Jersey, I'm unna miss you guys!

[9/10 · 16 May 2003]

They said it couldn't be done. Rather they said it did and I was disappointed.

I went to three separate blockbusters looking for this movie and couldn't find it. Finally I went to Video Alternatives where I had to make an account even though my roommate Nick has one. No, me and Nick are getting along fine now he just wasn't home. So I get 2 "free" rentals for 15 dollars. This was the first one.

As John Parker noted, paraphrasing Jacob Miller "dreadlocks can't live in a tenement yard." My favorite part of this movie was when Prince Pauper grabbed the mike, gave a shout-out to lasagna and starting making out with his girlfriend who was cute but had a weird accent.

I personally thought they needed more musical scenes, and they should have traveled to the 8th dimension for more than 30 seconds. Some people say that Mystra keeps a secret lair there, where she consummates her love with Elminster. Who knows what spells they prepare.

9/10

Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers (1988)

A worthy successor, but not much more.

[7/10 · 16 March 2003]

Those of you who saw sleepaway camp I and expect sleepaway camp II to be exactly the same will be disappointed. However, I will still claim that this one is a worthy successor. This movie is under new management (writer/director) and instead of going for creepy (the first movie) they go for gory/funny. By those standards, the movie is great. This movie is supposed to be ludicrous. Those who rented it expecting a well-done movie are kidding themselves. This movie is about summer-camp, cheap gore, heavy metal, and guys like T.C. By that standard it's pretty good. ultimately not as good as the 1st one, but still pretty good

7.5/10

Also. Whoever noticed all the names relating to 80s stars (brat pack) etc...thats awesome.

Akira (1988)

I'm speechless.

[9/10 · 15 March 2003]

Ahh, the elusive 10/10 (aka 5/5 or 4 stars etc) given to something typically for being perfect. But what about something flawed at times, but yet so transcendently glorious at other moments that it seems to deserve the 10 as well. If a case can be made for the later (and I do think it can) then the extant corpus of Catullus and AKIRA certainly fall into that category.

This movie was often breathtakingly brilliant and beautiful. It also portrayed it's themes in a sort of muddled vague sense..go figure. At first I thought meaning was lost in the translation. But look at a film like mononoke. Nothing lost there. Anyhow. I was moved. But maybe I'm a sucker for sci-fi.

What.

Sleepaway Camp (1983)

Complete Genius.

[10/10 · 15 March 2003]

Some Points.

1. This movie is completely brilliant.

2. It is disturbing

3. The ending is awesome, "one of the best ever" according to Anthony.

4. The movie depicts summercamp perfectly. I swear to g-d they filmed it at the beach of my summercamp. Also, the owner of the camp was perfectly portrayed.

5. I have heard that the next 2 movies are not like they first but have not seen them.

6. I watched this movie after toking. I don't do that a lot anymore because it makes me paranoid but i did for this movie and it was awesome. I think it will totally enhance the movie.

10/10!

Breathless (1960)

A winning combination of brilliance & stupidity

[4/10 · 30 January 2003]

I gave this movie a 4/10 because it is both idiotic and brilliant. Brilliant for many of the reasons Jean Luc Godard is seen as brilliant and idiotic because it makes precious little sense (whatever language it's viewed in). In fact I would suggest not getting it with english subtitles because that only makes it worse. following in his footsteps, "Jean" Luc Besson made the professional, which raised idiocy to new heights. I will leave you with one question:

"what is going on in this movie?"

Thank you!

4/10

Requiem for a Dream (2000)

Yet another pathetic attempt to glorify drug abuse!

[9/10 · 24 December 2002]

This movie follows in the long history of movies such as: Reefer Madness, Assassin of Youth, and Star Wars which attempts to glorify drug use by painting it's users and the long term effects in a positive light. This movie is disturbing and disgraceful in the way it seems to suggest to impressionable young minds that if you do drugs you will be cool. The movie stars Judd Nelson as a young man who can't seem to get along with his mother. He begins shooting heroin and suddenly they have something in common vso she gives him her tv. When he watches tv he sees Patrick Dempsey and Lil' Bow Wow and wants to be just like them. Soon he is an actor and hollywood with a nice haircut, all thanks to heroin. The mother meanwhile has always been doing heroin, but decides that her life will be even better if she begins popping pills. She does, and soon she is young, think and sexy enough that she can go on a game show and win. The message here is that: drugs make you smarter, sexier, more successful. Judd Nelson's girlfriend, Jennifer Lopez, does less drugs then him, but she likes pot. So she leaves him to go get stoned with a mathematician. They smoke and then do important secret work for the government. Again we get the message: drugs make you smarter & more successful. Finally Judd's friend, played by Damon Wayans smokes cigarettes, then dresses up as a clown who is also a detective. He is really good at busting people by nocking them out with a sock and shouting "homie don't play croquet!" Again, same message: drugs make you successful!"

Youth of America: This movie is a lie. Drugs are not cool. Do not think for a minute that if you do heroin you will end up rich and famous like the people in Requiem for A Dream! If you do heroin you will end up face down in the dirt with charlie firing his ak-47 up your a** like in full metal jacket.

2.43/10

Dead Presidents (1995)

Well done, or two movies in one?

[7/10 · 19 December 2002]

I think everyone associates this movie with the dude in the white-mime makeup on the cover. Strangely we don't see this dude for a long time. Most of the movie is about the life of a young african american male who graduates, goes to vietnam, comes back and tries to be a father. This part is well done. It looks great, the acting is great, the dialogue is great, etc. Some scense, such as Anthony sitting with his family or working at the Butcher's office, reminded me a lot of Saturday Night Fever. Others, such as Anthony w/ Kirby, reminded me of Goodfellas. Either way it was working. Then at a certain point, Anthony is out of a job, he has problems with his wife and basically decides that the solution is to pull a heist of crazy proportions. This is where the movie goes off track. Why is it suddenly about a heist? Now we go from a touching drama to some kind of crime movie, and not a particularly good one at that. When it was over I was confused. My guess is some bigwig studio-exec demanded action, explosives, and mime face paint.

"Hands up for Hollywood! Hooray!" - Clash

7/10

P.S. Soundtrack is great. Great.

Bring It On (2000)

As good as a movie about cheerleaders can be

[8/10 · 18 December 2002]

As a straight male with a modicum of intelligence i looked the other way when I heard about this movie. I think that was because it was about cheerleading. When female friends told me that it was "seriously, the best movie of all time," I was pretty skeptical. When one convinced me to watch it with her I was wondering what I had gotten myself into. Well here is the truth about this so-called "classic"...it is definitely worth watching, especially for other straight males. Here's why:

1) Kirsten Dunst and Eliza Dushku. An entire sub-plot in the movie seemd to be a battle to determine which one was hotter. It was very difficult. In the end I had to award both of them for "bringing it on."

2) Girls who watch this get really..."inspired" by this movie. This movie is really a gift to mankind.

and..don't tell anyone, but:



3) It's actually kind of a good movie. If you accept the fact that it is not realistic the script & the acting are good. It is entertaining in it's own right.

It's a good thing IMDB allows anonymity

8/10

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

A worthy epic successor

[8/10 · 18 December 2002]

I anticipated this film like none other, and was not disappointed. I believe the LoTR trilogy to be the greatest of all time and of course this movie was brilliant in all of the same ways that the first one was. In this review I will not list all of the good things about this film because there are too many, although the adapion of Gollum was breathtaking and wonderful. That said, I did have some complaints.

1) In my opinion the battle scenes were not as cool as they could have been: too much hacking and slashing not enough impressive feats of strength and dexterity.

2) Gimli was turned into a walking punchline. While it was very funny and provided moments of comic relief, I think he should really be more of a badass than a comedian.

3) Distorting the book. I know this is bound to happen but Jackson did it less in the first movie.

That said, it was an incredible experience seeing this movie. Not a perfect masterpiece (like the first one) but an absolutely worthy successor.

8/10

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

Another great snot-based epic!

[10/10 · 17 December 2002]

Of all of the space-adventure/snot-metaphor movies of all time this one might be the best. As a depiction of man's fight to not be subdued by his own allergies it is really without parallel (accept for maybe the Godfather, or some say Citizen Kane. Now I do think Citizen Kane is a great movie, but it has nothing to do with allergies). Back to Star Wars.

Consider the setup, a young boy lives with his aunt and uncle, after his parents died mysteriously (of asthma?) when he goes to by some robots. These robots don't breathe, but nonetheless they are being chased by the empire, which is like the great snot in everyone's nose. The empire seeks to "tighten it's grip" on the solar system the same way snot constricts your nasal passages and makes it impossible to breathe. Consider the scene where Darth Vader, the Emperor's right hand man constricts one of the royal governor's breath. This is exactly what allergies at their worst do! You Can't breathe.

Ok so Luke goes to hang out with Obi-Wan who has been fighting allergies all of his life, by a pattern of correct breath, very zen-like known as the force. By getting in touch with the force you can control your allergies and hopefully subdue them. However the empire is constructing a "death star" which fires a giant green "death" ray, more like a giant green snot ray if you ask me.

Things get even worse when they try to rescue the princess, who is really snotty. This bothers Han Solo, who thinks some technology and luck, as in anti-allergy medication (symbolized by his reliance on a good blaster) will prevent the empire from stickin' it's slimy tentacles on him.

The garbage dumpster scene. Do I need to say any more?

Another thing about this movie: lots of rockets. Snot rockets. Also, consider the noses on many of these alien races. They're crazy! How do they deal with snot.

The movie ends with a climax where luke fires a quick snot rocket aimed directly at the nostrils of the death star. Plugged up an unable to breath, it explodes, sneezing out darth vader to a fate unknown to those who plot the ways of snot.

10/10

The Godfather (1972)

The greatest movie of all time!

[17 December 2002]

The big problem with this movie is that people do not seem to realize that a movie is an illusion. It is pretend. It is make-believe. For some reason people think this movie is a historical document. People want to lock up Marlon Brando and Al Pacino for crimes their characters, not them committed. Ok let me try to break this down for all you people: The Corleone's are imaginary. They are not real. Someone made them up. They don't exist. Al Pacino and Marlon Brando are real, but they are law-abiding actors. They are not criminals (as far as we know) Those things they do in the movies are not real. IS EVERYBODY CRAZY!#!!# I must be the only person who understands the difference between fiction and non-fiction. No, my 3-year old son understands that as well. As for the rest of you loonies, you can go hang out in Cleveland with all the other heathens, Osiris be damned!

3/10

Léon: The Professional (1994)

Ludicrous & ridiculous effort from Besson

[2/10 · 10 December 2002]

How is this movie in the top 100, let alone the top 250?

I will answer my own question and say that apprently most filmgoers do not find the idea of a "perfect assassin" turning out to be a good guardian ludicrous.

On one hand we have "Leon" the "perfect assassin." An assassin is someone who kills people for aliving. This is not a nice, responsible adult. Portraying him as a supportive caregiver is insane. Why would he ever take in a 12 year old girl? Because he's lonely? Don't you think this would get in the way of his work? I like the scene where he tells her not to smoke cigarettes. This guy kills people but he's got a problem with cigarettes.

I also like the cliched portrayal of his two-faced boss. That's original.

Or how about Gary Oldham as a psycho d.e.a. agent...don't get me wrong I think the government is full of psychos, but really would a complete raving psychopath get this far up in the political machinery? I kind of doubt it. His outbursts have to be bad for p.r.

And then we come to Natalie Portman's character. A 12 year old orphan thinks it'd be a good idea to move in with an assassin? I guess her parents never told her not to talk to strangers. And then she's going to become an assassin? If your parents had just gotten killed by people you don't even know, would you want to move in with an assassin and become one? Doesn't she have relatives?

This film is completely ridiculous. What is even more unbelieveable is that so many of you liked it.

2/10

Empire Records (1995)

A happy medium between sweet and excellent

[9/10 · 8 December 2002]

Not since Frederich Nietzsche proclaimed "God is Dead" have the petty bourgeoise in German/central-Europe felt so much fear and trembling. Folks nihilism is nothing to frightened of...and this movie is a perfect example. When Rory Cochrane says "I wish that I was born blind so that I could look upon your face but once and spit in the wrong direction" you know that it ain't no jive talking. Everyone else is excellent. When I comb my hair it creates a natural pompadour similar to Rex Manning, who has a sort of priggish charm. Pat Nebetar reprises her role as Pat Benetar while the rest of the cast fawns nervoulsly and Liv Tyler looks good. True that.

9/10 An excellent film.

The Big Lebowski (1998)

A triumph of cinematic style and the Coen Brother's best effort.

[10/10 · 5 December 2002]

Many people have commented on this movie, so rather than review it in the typical fashion I will simply make some points that I feel are of interest:

1. The Coen's are cinematic genuiuses. When watching this film, realize that everything in it is done for a reason. With that in mind you might realize what a masterwork this film is.

2. Long have I lamented the fact that every stoner comedy ever made has looked like it was made by stoners. So many movies involving potheads are idiotic and unrealistic. Finally, here is a movie that accurately portrays drug use, it's effects and does not underestimate the intelligence of the viewer. Call it the intelligent stoner comedy.

3. Set in the early 90s, this movie was made in the mid 90s sparking the obvious question: why set a movie only a few years back? Because for the Coen's it is a launching pad for cinematic brilliance.

4. The Maude character is great. I think she intimidates a lot of us men, but it really is nice to throw a deconstructionist-feminist in there.

5. Philosophically speaking, this movie really touches some bases. Example: When the police officer calls the Dude a loser and the Dude replies "well, that's like, just your opinion, man?" Is morality simply an opinion? Does with authority come the right to pass judgement on others? To what extent? These and other questions are raised, although perhaps not solved in this fine work of art.

10/10

Confessions of Sorority Girls (1994 TV Movie)

Turn mute on, lock the door, and have a great time.

[8/10 · 5 December 2002]

One night me and Jud had nothing better to do then drink and six pack and rent a movie (apologies to those Hardcore sXr edgers who think I am a loser for that). Being intelligent young lads we perused the store for an intelligent film which would arouse intellectual discourse. You know, something like waking life...instead we saw this and acknowledged that Alyssa Milano's cleavage looked pretty good. I always had a crush on her. Anyhow, this movie was completely satisfying. Sure it was retarded, but if you possibly purchase this expecting a good movie I think you should blame your own poor judgement. This movie featured numerous scenes with Alyssa Milano looking hot and Jamie Luner did not look bad either. I also like the 1950s private college/beach party setting. What a nice retro touch! Finally the climactic end scene could not be denied, I will not reveal it, I will only say that it was worth the wait.

8/1o

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

Secrets, secrets are no fun.

[6/10 · 4 December 2002]

I gave this movie a 6 because it is at times spectacular and at other times idiotic, in a word: uneven. As a kids movie it is most certainly a 10, but you could say the same thing about that Star Wars prequels. Is it fair to compare this movie to the vastly superior Lord of the Rings? Probably not, but I can't seem to resist.

What Works: the general Harry Potter schtick is appealing and Rowling has constructed a well-thought out world. Everything looks good. Also I may have a crush on Emma Watson. I also like the name Tom Marvelo Riddle...would make a great post-punk band. To bad post-punk is dead. Long live klezmer!

What Doesn't: Dobby is not nearly as bad as Jar-Jar Binks but its the same kind of character: he manages to simultaneously annoy and screw things up for the hero and the audience. Also Harry seems to lack a certain emotional death in this movie. He reminds me of a passenger in a car, just sort of doing his thing, not really concerned with what is going on...all the way up through the climactic final scene. He never seems to be truly phased or frightened and we don't either. This series needs to make things more difficult for Harry. That is something Tolkein is much better at...giving his heroes seemingly insurmountable obstacles. For Harry, being a hero is more like a day at the office.

How High (2001)

Not that high.

[4/10 · 4 December 2002]

I was pretty high when I saw this movie and I think those are the only circumstances under which it would be entertaining.

Three things I like about this movie:

1) Method Man and Redman are awesome. 2) Silas P. Silas is one of the great movie names. 3) Encourages tolerance of a certain illicit substance.

Things I did not like about this movie:

1) Everything else. This movie suffers from the same flaw most stoner-comedies do: it looks like it was written by stoners.

4/10

Dude, Where's My Car? (2000)

I think the title says it all.

[10/10 · 4 December 2002]

Before seeing this movie I knew it ranked with the greatest of all time.

The title of this movie is the greatest title of all time. Civilization, dozens of thousands of yearsold has converged upon this point, this precipe if you will to produce "Dude, Where's My Car?" Some will say this is a second-rate Cheech and Chong flick. I will point out that none of them were titled "Dude Where's My Car" I can understand why people might think this movie is terrible. It is extremely stupid. But this movie does not aim for intelligence, so why should it be judged in that fashion?

Rather this movie hits all the bases it needs to: drug references, pop-culture references, women reduced to body parts (and the men made fun of for doing it)...in fact nary a movie has come out that has been a better parody of the male gaze. All Neo-Platonists should see this movie before scoffing at the works of Derrida and Foucalt. At least Nietzsche could butter his own bread (for a while).

What a wonderful movie. Schibbies.

Tail Lights Fade (1999)

For fans of Jake Busey!

[8/10 · 4 December 2002]

I rented this movie for three reasons:

1) It has Jake Busey in it; he has a massive jaw. 2) It has Denise Richards in it; she has massive...forget it. 3) It looked stupid.

On all three accounts I was left satisfied. This movie involves marijuana and relay racing and Denise Richards and Jake Busey, and Breckin Myer who I am a fan of. All three of them are stars. Some would claim Jake Busey is not a star, but he is at least the son of one...three Hurrahs for hereditary oligarchy!

Anyhow if you are looking for an intelligent movie, steer clear of this...but aren't intelligent movies overrated?

Ghostbusters II (1989)

A great movie to watch under the influence...

[9/10 · 4 December 2002]

If you are going to toke and looking for a movie to watch this a wonderful choice. It really is, as people have claimed brilliant and better than the original (that is not to discount the greatness of Zuel who still occasionally thrusts his dagger of wickedness into my side). As people have also commented the soundtrack is great. I recommend purchasing it on cassette, although other forms of media are acceptable. The Oingo Boingo song is so good that I almost forgot that they sucked and went out and bought one of their albums. I still think the original scene is brilliant. Also the villian Vigo may be the greatest villian of all time. Why is this movie only rated at like 5.5/10? Because we live in a conservative country where most people watch movies without consuming certain substances which would then allow them to truly appreciate the movie.

Wet Hot American Summer (2001)

Brilliant if you went to summer camp, stupid if you didn't.

[9/10 · 30 November 2002]

There are in fact two types of people in the world: people who went to summer camp and people who didn't. If you spent your summers at an overnight camp then you will recognize this movie as brilliant, much better than any other on-screen depiction of camp (yes even much better than salute your shorts) that will probably make you break out the old camp yearbooks. If you didn't then this is a waste of 2 hours. I should also mention that it features The State, who are either hilarious or idiotic depending on your sense of humor. From the other comments its obvious that people either get the movie or they don't. If you don't thats fine but if you do...oh man.

9/10